Text size
S
M
L

Home> Systems/Procedures> Laws and Policies> Laws and Guidelines> Examination Guidelines> Trademark> Examination guidelines for similar goods and services> Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services (corresponding to the Nice Classification, 12th Edition, Version 2025)

Main content starts here.

Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services (corresponding to the Nice Classification, 12th Edition, Version 2025)

January, 2025

International Trademark Classification Office, Trademark Division

The Japan Patent Office announces the Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services (corresponding to the Nice Classification, 12th Edition, Version 2025) has been revised. In this Examination Guidelines, the English entry of goods and services in the alphabetical list of international classification has been listed in principle for the purpose of reference.

This Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services is applied to the applications on or after January 1st, 2025.

Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services (corresponding to the Nice Classification, 12th Edition, Version 2025) (PDF:4,648KB)

Classes
Class 1 (PDF:641KB) Class 2 (PDF:558KB) Class 3 (PDF:529KB) Class 4 (PDF:555KB) Class 5 (PDF:619KB)
Class 6 (PDF:631KB) Class 7 (PDF:665KB) Class 8 (PDF:586KB) Class 9 (PDF:673KB) Class 10 (PDF:592KB)
Class 11 (PDF:612KB) Class 12 (PDF:600KB) Class 13 (PDF:504KB) Class 14 (PDF:518KB) Class 15 (PDF:501KB)
Class 16 (PDF:591KB) Class 17 (PDF:518KB) Class 18 (PDF:559KB) Class 19 (PDF:588KB) Class 20 (PDF:561KB)
Class 21 (PDF:624KB) Class 22 (PDF:516KB) Class 23 (PDF:544KB) Class 24 (PDF:561KB) Class 25 (PDF:581KB)
Class 26 (PDF:565KB) Class 27 (PDF:497KB) Class 28 (PDF:624KB) Class 29 (PDF:580KB) Class 30 (PDF:586KB)
Class 31 (PDF:567KB) Class 32 (PDF:501KB) Class 33 (PDF:498KB) Class 34 (PDF:497KB) Class 35 (PDF:686KB)
Class 36 (PDF:555KB) Class 37 (PDF:588KB) Class 38 (PDF:498KB) Class 39 (PDF:557KB) Class 40 (PDF:562KB)
Class 41 (PDF:527KB) Class 42 (PDF:516KB) Class 43 (PDF:501KB) Class 44 (PDF:509KB) Class 45 (PDF:506KB)

<Excel:1,865KB>

Implementation note of the Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services

  1. The Examination Guidelines for similar goods and services, which has been finalized based on the opinions of organizations, is uniform standards for all trademark examiners, and all examinations for similarity of goods or services is in principle conducted in accordance with this Guideline.
  2. In this Guideline, goods or services grouped and enclosed by a rectangle box are in principle presumed to be similar to each other.
    Nevertheless, it should be noted that in examining the similarity of goods or services specifically and individually, or based on the changing actual circumstances of business and economies, there could be some cases in which goods and services that are presumed to be similar according to these guidelines might be recognized to be dissimilar; while goods and services that are not deemed to be similar based on these guidelines might in fact be regarded as similar.
  3. Handling of similar goods and services that are classified under multiple classification
    The number of class which is written in brackets [ ] below the boxes of goods or services indicates that there are goods or services that have the same codes (hereinafter referred to as “similar group codes”) in that class, and those goods or services which have the same similar group codes are in principle presumed to be similar to each other even in different classes.
  4. Cross Search
    A Cross Search will be conducted on the scope of goods which are presumed to be similar, for applications designating services prescribed in Article 2(2) of the Trademark Act (Retail and/or wholesale services); and a Cross Search will be conducted also on the scope of retail and/or wholesale services that are presumed to be similar, for applications designating goods.
  5. Remarks Columns
    Any similarities of individual goods and/or services are to be indicated in the remarks columns.
  6. Handling goods and services with multiple similar group codes
    Except for cases in which remarks are specifically indicated in the remarks columns, goods and services with multiple similar group codes are presumed to be similar to each other if they are (1) goods and services having the same multiple similar group codes, or (2) goods and services having only one of the multiple similar group codes.
    Therefore, “Electronic publications” (26A01, 26D01) grouped in Class 9 are presumed to be similar to each of the following goods in Class 9: “Downloadable image files”, “Recorded video discs and video tapes” (24E02, 26D01), “Exposed cinematographic films”, “Exposed slide films” and “Slide film mounts” (26D01); and are presumed to be similar to each of the following goods in Class 16: “Printed matter” (26A01) and “Photographs” (26D01).

Reference

  • N
    “N” signifies that the English indication in this Guideline is identical to the English entry of goods and services in the alphabetical list of international classification.
  • Asterisk
    The general term (e.g., Clothing, Paints) in the alphabetical list of international classification is marked with an asterisk.
  • (注)
    The entry with the sign ”(注)” signifies that the International Bureau (IB) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) may notify you of there being irregularities in regard to the indication of goods/services in the international application under the Madrid Protocol.
  • [参考]類似と推定するアルファベット順一覧表掲載の表示”
    These are the English entries from the alphabetical list of international classification for reference purposes.
  • Similar Group Codes

[Last updated 29 January 2025]

Contact Us

International Trademark Classification Office

Trademark Division

Japan Patent office,

E-mail:PA1T90@jpo.go.jp